By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Another successful day at the plate and some timely defense was enough for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to pull off a midweek series sweep of visiting USC Upstate on Wednesday, outlasting a lengthy weather delay and comeback bid to earn an 8-6 win at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
The Spartans (21-21) took the first lead of the game, scoring an unearned run in the first inning. The visitors doubled down with a lead-off home run to left field in the second and made it a 3-0 ball game in the top of the fourth with another unearned marker.
The Golden Eagles (26-16) answered back in the bottom half of the inning, as center fielder Jackson Green and designated hitter Mack Whitcomb were plunked by back-to-back pitches to open the frame. The pair advanced on a ground ball out to first base before the Spartans picked up out number two.
Needing a bit of a rally, second baseman Eddie Garza came through with an RBI knock to left field, plating Jordan for the first run of the ball game. The Upstate left fielder booted the ball as well, allowing it to travel to the wall and a second run to score on the error.
In the sixth, the Cookeville crew squared the affair behind the power of first baseman Nicho Jordan. The senior slugger smashed a solo bomb to right-center field with one out, tying the game at 3-3 with his seventh round-tripper of the season.
Tech moved in front for the first time of the day in the seventh, rallying again with two outs. Left fielder Landon Smelser led off the inning with a walk and, two outs later, Whitcomb ripped an infield single to shortstop. The two moved into scoring position thanks to a wild pitch before catcher Riley Black loaded the bags with a seven-pitch walk.
Once again, Jordan delivered when the Golden Eagles needed it most. Working a 2-1 count, the veteran ripped a double down the right-field line, clearing the bases in the process for three more RBI and a 6-3 Tech lead.
Heading to the bottom of the eighth, the purple and gold continued the attack by loading the bases to open the frame. With third baseman Preston Steele battling at the dish to a 1-1 count, the contest entered a weather delay due to lightning detected in the area.
The delay lasted two hours and 18 minutes, bringing the total game time to five hours and 32 minutes for the day. With play back on, Steele immediately fired the first offering he saw to right field for a sacrifice fly and a big insurance run. Green followed with an RBI single to center field, providing an 8-3 advantage.
Upstate battled to the bitter end, plating three runs with just one out and the bases still loaded in the top of the ninth. Right-hander Jaxon Pridgen provided just what the doctor ordered, inducing a grounder for his defense to turn a game-ending, 6-4-3 double play.
After completing 1.2 innings of perfect relief from the bullpen across the fourth and fifth frames, freshman Carter Casabella picked up his third win of the season while striking out a pair. Lawson Stricklin provided 2.0 frames of scoreless work prior to the delay, also fanning two.
Sophomore Drew Mattox punched out a team-high four batters while tossing 2.0 innings as the game's starter, allowing just one earned run. Pridgen took care of the final two outs of the day, earning his second save of the year.
Jordan led the Golden Eagle offense, driving in four with a pair of hits. Whitcomb, Garza, and Smelser each tallied two hits apiece, with Whitcomb leading the way with two runs scored.
Tech will open a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with in-state rival UT Martin on Friday evening, taking on the Skyhawks in a 6:00 p.m. CT battle at the Quill. The slate continues on Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. contest, while Sunday's series finale will open with a 1:00 p.m. start.
With inclement weather, including rain, expected in the Cookeville area throughout the week, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any potential updates to this weekend's schedule. Admission to all Tech home baseball games is free of charge.
Photo by Jim Dillon
